Kathleen's Blog

As I stated in class yesterday, I love the book Little Women. The first Louisa May Alcott book(s) I read was actually Eight Cousins and Rose in Bloom. I still have the falling apart copies my mother gave me as she told me they were the first books she had read and fallen in love with. Likewise, I fell in love with those books and I quickly began reading any Alcott book I could get my hands on. As an author, Alcott is one of my favorites.

I feel I have a lot to ponder since class yesterday. I have been contemplating why I’m one of these nuts that likes Little Women so much. When others in the class expressed some of their oppositions to the book, such as it being too sweet, I completely understand where they are coming from. I just don’t know why that doesn’t bother me; in fact I rather like it. I have three sisters of my own and I’m aware that as close as we are we’re no March family. My mother (bless her heart) is certainly no Marmee. And still I don’t know why the sickly sweetness in the book doesn’t bother me. I feel like I am a fairly reasonable and realistic person, but there is something in this book that grabs my attention and wants me to be a better person. It’s a “children’s” book, I’m crazy I know.

In this book I think Alcott was a master at illustrating each character and making them seem real. Not just Jo, but all the sisters and even Laurie. For example, when Alcott is telling stories of Meg after her marriage, the only person I cared about was Meg. I didn’t feel like I wanted to rush through and get back to Jo. The same goes for Jo and Amy. Also, it is interesting how Beth or other characters are never focused on in the same light. Even when Beth died the focus was on how Jo and the family handled their loss.

As for feminism, in no way would I claim to be feminist. Perhaps that is because I was born in a time where I do not feel oppressed. I imagine if I lived when women couldn’t vote or work I might feel differently. Since that isn’t the case, it never really struck me as odd that Jo was outspoken and a writer. With that being said, I think the story has a very good balance of feminism, especially for its time. We will never know if Alcott had lived today and written Little Women in our time what differences there might be. Perhaps Alcott was testing the waters when she first wrote Little Women. I wonder if Alcott had only emphasized Jo’s independence (and not added the girls getting married) if publisher’s would have even published it. I don’t know for sure, but I think it’s possible.

Finally, I think the lasting charm from the book may have something to do with how relatable it is from many different areas. The fact that people can argue its meaning over a hundred years later means there are many different layers there. I believe this book has the ability to touch different people in different ways and that is its lasting beauty

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Eleven years ago to the day I was sitting in a movie theatre with my family watching, “Independence Day”. I know that movie has since been deemed one of the most ridiculous of all time, but I have to say that as a 12 year old that movie was amazing. I’m sure if I watched it now without having seen it before I would have a completely different opinion, but I can’t forget how much I loved that movie once upon a time. I wouldn’t begin to analyze that movie as a work of art, but I can’t deny I think it’s great. I encourage anyone who fears the world will be annihilated by creepy and repulsive aliens to remember Will Smith fighting for truth, justice, and the American way.

I hope everyone has a good 4th of July.

I know this blog is not a confession box, but I find myself involuntarily telling more about myself that I would probably ever tell in face to face conversation. My apologies, but it cannot be helped. My confession is that I have never taken any sort of film analysis class and I haven’t thought about movies beyond whether or not I like them. I love movies but have never paid attention to the details such as we have been doing in class. Hopefully I will get better at this analysis thing as the semester progresses, but until then I shall have to start where I can. The following is my attempt to delve into the mysterious and crafty minds of our friends The Coen Brothers:

Miller’s Crossing—a movie I had not even heard of nonetheless seen before this class. Previously, the only Coen Brothers films I have seen are Fargo and Barton Fink. Indeed, Fargo was enjoyable; however, I must say that after seeing Barton Fink I was concerned with the prospect of watching another Coen Brothers film. I’m sure this goes back to my lack of ability in analyzing movies, but Barton Fink is so strange I cannot say I liked it at all. Perhaps if I studied it versus just watching it I would feel differently. Alas, it might be some time before I gather the courage to watch Barton Fink again. But I digress, as far as Miller’s Crossing is concerned, I liked the film very much. It was quirky and dark all at the same time (much like Yojimbo). I loved the little things the Coen brothers seemed to be doing to tip their hat (literally and figuratively) to Hammett’s Glass Key. Besides “The Hat” being a simile to the dream, in the book the importance of Taylor’s hat was found throughout. Ned used Opal and the hat to get money owed to him from gambling and Taylor’s hat (or the lack thereof) was instrumental in Ned’s discovery of Taylor’s killer. In addition, there was subtle dialog in Miller’s Crossing such as the Mayor’s secretary saying, “lo, Tom” and after Leo learns of Tom and Verna he tells Tom, “This is the Kiss-off”. Maybe I have just never noticed it before, but I had never seen the phrase “lo” before reading The Glass Key, and it was throughout the entire book. In regards to “the Kiss-off” that is the title to chapter 8 in the book where Ned and Paul have there falling out. Either that is a major coincidence or the Coen Brothers know their stuff (my vote is for the latter).

Just about the first thing I notice when watching a movie is its soundtrack. For me, I believe that the difference between a good movie and a great movie is its soundtrack. I think that a great soundtrack can be listened to and enjoyed on its own as well as an aid in telling the story. In my opinion some of the best movie soundtracks are, “Last of the Mohicans”, “Pirates of the Caribbean”, “Glory”, and anything John Williams touches. While I’m not prepared to add “Yojimbo” to my favorites list, I can’t seem to get it off my mind. While perhaps the Yojimbo soundtrack is not one I would listen to on my ipod, I do believe it was a very engaging and effective way to enhance the story of Yojimbo.

Moving on…while reading other blogs, I noticed I am not the only one who appreciated the humor from Yojimbo. I think my favorite character in the movie was Inokichi (Ushitora’s abusrd brother). What an interesting fellow. Everything about him was ridiculous and apparent comedy relief. I noticed that Sanjuro and the old man (I do not know his name) seemed to be the only people in the town with a grasp of reality and any sense at all. I believe that by displaying both extremes it illustrated how preposterous things were in the town. The division and fighting in the town were irrational and out of control. It seems this fact is displayed by the collectiveness and maturity in Sanjuro compared to the foolishness of Inokichi.

I confess I have never “blogged” before nor have I ever considered doing so.  I know I’m a greenie, but I figure that with everything I’ve learned to accomplish in my life (which in reality isn’t much) this should be cake.

So here I go…The Glass Key.  I had never heard of the book or the movie before this class and whenever I tried to tell anybody what book I was reading they thoughtfully corrected me and said, “menagerie. You mean the glass menagerie”. Nope, I didn’t and they were wrong.  Alas, The Glass Key was a very interesting find.  I’m a nerd so I had read the book before we started class.  I am glad though because I believe it made me appreciate the book more than I would have otherwise. The book took some getting used to, but before I knew it I cared about the messed up lives of Ned, Janet, and Paul.  I have a special place in my heart for “old” movies, and I especially love anything made in the 1940’s.  I’ve never met a 1940’s movie that I didn’t like and the Glass Key was no exception.  Granted, the book is far better, but I found it fascinating to see the changes that were needed to translate the book into a 1942 movie.  As I was reading the book I knew that there was no way the movie would have been able to display the same content as found in the book.  I did not know about the Hays Code, but I have seen enough “old” movies that I knew there would be no swearing or even the word pregnant (a state Opal was deemed not to be in the book).  Even with all the subtle meanings laced throughout the film, I wonder what film-makers of that day would think of our recent releases such as, “Knocked Up”.  I’m curious if they would be proud or shocked..